Top Ten Home Features
Posted by
Kristal Kraft, Denver Realtor on
June 6th, 2008
According to the National Association of Realtors Annual Profile of Buyer’s Home Feature Preferences, buyers want:
- Central Air Conditioning
- Garage (2 or more spaces)
- Walk-in closet in master bedroom
- Backyard/play area
- Cable/Satellite TV-ready
- High-speed Internet Access
- Separate shower enclosure in master/main bath
- Patio
- Fencing
- Home less than 10 years old
What do home buyers in Denver want?
- Central Air Conditioning is a maybe, or rather that depends. In the city and the suburbs air conditioning is a favorite feature. However as one gets up into the higher elevations above Denver, air conditioning becomes less and less necessary.
- 2 Car Garage. Once again, that depends. Urban parking doesn’t require or should I say "allow" most home owners to have a 2 car garage. In urban areas designated street parking might be the ultimate cat’s meow. Of course travel a few miles to the ‘burbs and the desire holds true. A 2 car garage is the minimum standard for most homes. Of course when homes are priced over say $400k a 3 or 4 car garage is the minimum standard!
- Walk-in closet. No argument here. Inner city home owners would settle for a closet that is wide enough to fit modern day clothes hangers! Suburban home owners wince at the thought of not having proper storage for all their worldly goods.
- Backyard/play area. Dream on homeowners. Colorado has been "Californicated" the smaller the lot the bigger the smile on the developer/tax collector/water marshall. What we do well in Colorado are parks, open areas and recreation centers.
- Cable/Satellite TV-ready. no argument here. Homeowners have a variety of choices from cable to satellite dishes. To each his own delight!
- High-speed Internet access. Actually this amenity is right up there with "air" when it comes to necessity. Who can remember a world without it?
- Sparate shower enclosure in the master/main bath. Around these parts we call that a "5-piece bath". Count ‘em; 1. toilet 2. double sinks 3. shower 4. tub. = 5 pieces in the bathroom. Most modern homes will have these features.
- Patio. Absolutely! Colorado sunshine is so delightful to soak up. We all enjoy the big bar-b-que out on the patio or deck.
- Fencing. Fido and kids need to have boundaries.
- Home less than 10 years old. It’s true selling a newer home is much easier than selling an older one. However many of our charming older homes have been updated to retain the charm and still present a modern face. Need I say they also sell quicker?
What else would you count as important in a home feature?
Personally, I like spacious, sunny rooms. Most of my time in spent in only a few rooms, so for me the more spacious the better. I can do without the areas of the home that are seldom used. Give me space where I spend my time and do away with everything else!
How about you?
Comments
7 Responses to “ Top Ten Home Features ”
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This site brought to you by Kristal Kraft, a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker
It would verge on suicidal to get a home in Phoenix without central air. (Though some older homes only have evaporative coolers — THAT is a tough sell…)
Swimming pools are about 50/50. Must haves for many, some don’t want the hassle.
Big kitchens with eating areas are at the top of many lists, as are tile and wood floors.
Swimming pools here are no big deal.
Few homes under 10 years old however.
A/C is a must.
Garages are not that easy in town.
Small lots are the norm, the grass really grows here.
Jay ~ I can’t imagine living in AZ without a/c. Unless of course I was only there in the winter!
Swimming pools are also a no-no here. Liability and way too much work!
Eric ~ Considering the age of your city I suspect a new home might be a hard one to sell! Yes, grass and everything you want grows in your climate. Well maybe not Cactus!
A/C is a must in KS!
2 car garage is important! Unless it’s a 1st time buyer home.
Swimming Pools are a no way here! No one wants one…but loves a subdivision with one!
Right now…the grass is being baled…not cut! So much rain here!
Interesting to read the differences across the country.
Must have’s here are: AC; 2 or 3 car garages; big lawns (nice grass); basements that are dry; big windows to let in our limited sunlight; roomy kitchens for holiday dinners; AND most important, space for a big TV to watch FOOTBALL (it’s central Ohio, ya’ know)!
Don’t wants: pools, little lots that view neighbors; detached garages; houses that are dark.
Cindi ~ Kansas City and Denver have a lot in common when it comes to swimming pools. We have great community pools here. Few people want a personal pool in their back yard. Typically those are folks who are arriving from different parts of the world.
Elaine ~ I remember Ohioans love those big sweeping yards. Of course in Ohio you don’t have to worry about paying for the water to keep them green as we do here in the high plains desert of Colorado! We do football here too, so big screen TV’s or now the popular “theater rooms” are the rage. Dark houses are a tough sell here too.
I love your post, it allows us to show how very local wish lists are! I always smile at stats here because a garage is a must and yes a twofer is even better. But in the city? People don’t often use their garages for cars…but they have to have it! lol
I’m not seeing as much demand for separate shower area except in condos or newer homes; I guess the fact that most of your homes are newer (or it sounds that way) plays into that.
Our NE Ohio housing stock is older, I would guess the average date of birth around 1920 (not including suburbs). I’ll have to look into that!
Also I find the younger crew likes low maintenance so a tiny yard appeals.
Btw, I liked your hat tip to The Red Hot Chili Peppers song in your Denver wants #4